Monthly Archives: April 2018

Are you even a parent if you haven’t argued over who was awake more times in the night or who was up the earliest with the kids? I mean, sleep deprivation and parenting may go hand-in-hand, but both have the tendency to fray tempers. Especially when the person next to you in the bed has the audacity to snore as you are trying to settle a baby back to sleep.

“It’s definitely your turn!”

You know how it pans out. The distinct aroma of a child’s skanky nappy starts working its way around the room – and it’s a game of who can make themselves scarce first. And if you are both unlucky enough to be on the scene at the same time as detection, it’s definitely not your turn to do it. Because you did it last time. And let’s face it, probably the time before that too.

“Where are the sodding nappies?”

You’re out and about with the brood, when the smallest one needs a nappy change. You reach into your bag to pull out a nappy – but there are none to be found. You know there was one in there this morning, because you checked. And then you remember the nappy change before you left the house, when your partner clearly raided the stash because they couldn’t be bothered to walk upstairs. And it’s definitely not a coincidence that they are now googling the nearest supermarket on their phone…

“It costs HOW much?”

Whether it’s investing in a new buggy to accommodate a new baby (because this one has tons of features we didn’t have with the last one), buying a dress that you saw online that you loved but wasn’t exactly thriftstore, or realising your two-year old now needs their very own seat on a flight and has nearly doubled the price of the holiday, it’s nearly impossible to navigate parenting without the odd argument about how much these little cash-guzzlers cost.

“Good Cop, Bad Cop”

One of you does most the legwork, changes most of the stinky nappies, does most of the night shifts, calms the most tantrums – and the other walks through the door and has little people running to them with a look of pure joy on their little faces. And when it comes to disciplining, there’s usually one that is seen as the soft touch, while the other gets a rap for being unkind. It’s all part of parenting as a team, but it’s bloody unfair – and you aren’t afraid to say it.

“Romance? Ha!”

Because children + romance = barely compatible. But one half of the couple probably wants to try anyway.

“You want to buy a mini bus?”

When kids come along, car dreams are shattered. And whether it’s the first leap to a sensible family car (when you were quite happy in that sporty little number) – or having to succumb to a mini bus when your brood expands, it’s rare you’re going to agree in the early stages of your ‘discussions’.

“The Wake-up Call”

Whether they flushed the toilet during nap time, shut the door a bit too noisily, or decided to ramp up the football a notch or two, if it’s their bloody fault that the baby woke up, you will be telling them. And then passing them the baby.

“WHERE ARE YOU?”

It doesn’t matter if it’s a legitimate reason. It doesn’t matter if they are dealing with an emergency at work or if the car broke down or if an old friend flew half way across the world for a drink and a catch-up, if they aren’t home by the time they said they’d be home to share the parenting, it’s nearly impossible to bite your tongue and smile sweetly when they walk through the door.

“Are you even listening?”

And when you’ve just completed a five-minute soliloquy about childcare dilemmas, the merits of every primary school in the area, or a list of adorable things your shared offspring did earlier that day and your partner looks up vacantly and says: ‘Sorry love, what was that? I don’t think I was listening…” Well. Seriously. They may as well just pack their bags now.

There are some gorgeous clothes out there for little boys and little girls this season. From dinosaur-print swim shorts, to ditsy-floral sun hats, to ice cream motif T-Shirts, to heart-shaped sunglasses, I’ve spent some time today pulling together my top 15 buys from the high street for toddlers and small children – and the best bit is that nothing in my selection costs more than £26… So now all we need is the sunshine to come out again.

My Top 15 Summer Buys For Little boys…

Crocodile T-Shirt (part of a set of three) at H&M, £9.99 – Link to buy

I lived for booking far-flung adventures, going on romantic dinner dates, and drinking really good cups of coffee at the weekend with a magazine in my hands.

I dreamt of career promotions, and white weddings, and one day, so distant in the future that it seemed hazy and surreal, of perhaps having babies of my own.

But back then, I wore clothes that I knew wouldn’t get covered in muck by grubby mitts and open-mouthed kisses within two minutes of getting dressed.

I wore shoes that I knew I could walk in – not having to consider suddenly breaking into a panicked run to chase you or carrying you for the entire walk as you point blank refused to sit in your buggy.

And I ate the food that I wanted to eat, not giving two hoots whether I was getting my five-a-day or drinking far too many glasses of cheap white wine as I rolled out of the office and into a bar with friends.

Before you arrived, life was different.

I was happy – and to be honest, I didn’t know that anything was missing.

But it turned out that it was.

Because one April afternoon, six years ago to the day tomorrow, you changed everything forever.

A little boy, like I’d always dreamt.

And as I stared into your deep blue eyes as you were placed on my chest, in that very instant, my life spun into a completely new course.

Life wasn’t so ordered anymore – but it was still busy.

Life wasn’t so simple anymore – but it was fuller than ever.

I still dreamt of far-flung adventures – but first, I needed to check there was travel cots, and high-chairs, and food on the menu that you’d actually eat.

I still lived for romantic dates – but they happened so rarely, I would delve into my handbag for a lipstick and discover spare dummies, and odd socks, and tiny toy cars instead.

I still adored cups of good coffee, but it wasn’t just for the taste anymore. It was for the caffeine – and the stronger, the better.

I had changed.

I still considered myself strong – but I was softer round the edges. My eyes welled up at emotional songs and films – and I full-on lost control of those tears the first time I saw you perform in a nursery show.

And as hard as it was to even imagine a life without you in it again, the thought occasionally crossed my mind and paralysed me for a moment – so terrified of losing you that I couldn’t function, or speak, or move until I forced it out of my mind again.

After you arrived, I was painfully aware of my flaws. My lack of patience, my vulnerabilities, and my inability to remain strong in the path of a stubborn toddler with pleading eyes.

But I realised my strengths too. Not only physically (because who can truly feel weak when they have grown and birthed a small human), but emotionally. To get through those hard weeks at the beginning, to learn to become a mother away from nearly everyone I knew and loved, and to get to the end of one of the hardest days and realise that we had survived.

After you arrived, everything changed.

Everything.

And six years on, I find it hard to remember what life was like without you in it

You were my first baby.

The little boy that made me a mother.

You changed me, challenged me, softened me, strengthened me, and taught me to love in a way I didn’t even know was possible.

And as you celebrate tomorrow, with those same deep blue eyes sparkling with excitement and happiness, I will take myself back to our first moments together.

I meant to write this blog post in March – but then the snow happened and the kids were off school for a week (i never thought I’d be angry with the snow, but I really was by the end of that week). And then before I knew it, the Easter holidays had crept up on us – and alas, there hasn’t been much blog writing going on with three kids running around the house.

But here we are. I have finally managed to pull it together, thanks to a combination of coffee, pleading with the husband, and ear plugs – and I hope you enjoy what I’ve pulled together.

1. Boden T-Shirt. Boden’s new season collection is in – and top of my picks is this ice cream tee. You’ll find it in the boy’s section, but I think it’s equally lovely for girls. Shop here.

2. L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Cream. I’ve started using this moisturising cream again, after years without it – and my skin is delighted. It leaves my skin looking all dewy and feeling well hydrated, even after the most disturbed nights with the kids. Shop here

3. Mrs Beasley’s Bows. I’m so desperate for Mabel to keep this beautiful Liberty-print bow in her hair, but alas, she’s having none of it. If your little one is more keen on the bow wearing, I can confirm that it is exceedingly beautiful, very well-made, and has a price tag of just £3.50. Shop here.

5. Lift the Flap Books. These brilliant books are perfect for busy little minds. I’ve bought three of them for Stanley’s birthday, including this one about the World. I know he’s going to love them – and he’s just turning six (thanks to Jo at Scamp & Dude for the recommendation!). Shop here.

6. Essie Nail Polish. The Spring 2018 collection by Essie is making me swoon – and my favourite is the chic Anchor Down. I’m buying myself a bottle and will be wearing it all season. Shop here.

7. Bloom & Blossom Bath, Book and Bedtime Collection. Oh how I love this new range of bathtime products for kids from Bloom & Blossom. I used this brand throughout my three pregnancies and rate the beautiful, safe ingredients and stunning scents – and this range for kids definitely hasn’t disappointed, with wonderful packaging, affordable price tags, child-friendly ingredients, and seriously affordable prices. Shop here.

8. Stories For Boys Who Dare To Be Different. This is a truly wonderful new book that you should purchase for your boys immediately. Each double page spread tells the story of a different boy who dared to be different – from Oscar Wilde, to Ralph Lauren, to Vincent Van Gogh, to Grayson Perry. And the illustrations are beautiful. Shop here.

9. Boden Frilled Swimsuit. I may well have added this to Mabel’s summer stash. Well, OK I did. Because it was impossible to resist. Shop here.

10. Grass & Air Rain Mac. It’s that time of year when we don’t need coats, but it’s still highly likely to rain – and that’s why I’ve swapped from Mabel’s thick winter coat to this beauty by Grass & Air. It’s stunning on her, totally waterproof, and when a bright light shines on the fabric, rain clouds appear. Shop here.

12. Zara Kids Cap. I love this denim cap by Zara Kids, which nods to dinosaurs in a really fun, stylish way. It works well for boys and girls – and costs just £6.99. Shop here.

13. T-RQ Adult Gummies. I’ve come to the end of my six-month trial of T-RQ Adult Gummies – and they’ve now become such a regular part of my morning routine that I have already re-stocked and will be doing so again soon. From the multi-vitamins (which contain nine essential vitamins), to the Biotin (which supports hair, skin and nails), to the Omega 3 with DHA + EPA (which helps power healthy brain, vision, and heart functioning), the entire range contains high quality ingredients and come in natural, great tasting flavours. Gummy vitamins aren’t just for kids, after all! Shop here.